Problem
Answer the questions based on the book. Phillip J. Cooper, Governing by Contract: Challenges and Opportunities for Public Managers. Washington: CQ Press, 2003. Into + Chapter 1.
A. The Cooper text takes the student through the governmental contracting process with the private sector. The latter includes nonprofits and cooperatives. The text starts with the bidding and evaluation processes and ends with the termination or transformation of contracts. What are two central issues that Cooper asserts in the Preface of the text in relation to public contract management?
B. In your view, is there a conflict of interest when a government agency, in competition with private firms, submits a bid on a government solicitation?
C. Identify the highest level of factors cited by Cooper that provide a good deal for the government to assure the public that they are getting the greatest bang for the buck.
D. Based on the five bid submissions from various private sector entities (one a joint public/private venture) for a public contract to aid needy families, which submission is a "good deal" for the public? State the criteria that you would use in making a decision.
E. Explain the position of the public manager within Cooper's authority-base model. Compare this model to the position of the public manager in Salamon's context.
F. How does Cooper view whether the government should provide a service versus the private sector?
G. Discuss some internal and external issues that public managers may face in preparing to award a contract including the decision whether to privatize.
H. Government contracts provide a wide range of methods to deliver public services as Salamon has pointed out. From direct to indirect service, the government is involved. Cooper suggests that public contracts cannot be ignored, but public managers must be wary of the intent of the private sector. What are the four concerns that Cooper identified?
I. How would Cooper regard oversight of government contracts be left to private sector monitoring?